Latch.



c. ATKINSON.-

LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 31, 1910.

Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

F'IG.I.

WITNESSES.-

ATTORNEY.

n COLUMBIA PLANOGRA for gates, fire doors, and

time

CHRISTOPHER ATKINSON, OF COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA;

LATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

Application filed October 31, 1910. Serial No. 589,886.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER ATKIN- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbia, in the county of Richland and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a latch suitable the like, and consists of an inexpensive device of great strength which can be readily attached.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l is a perspective view of one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a View of the underneath side of the latch member. Fig. 3 shows a modification of this latch member in which an operating spring is used.

Referring to Fig. 1 attached to the movable portion of the door or gate 1 is the striker bar 3. In the fixed post or jamb is driven or otherwise attached the supporting bar 4 over which is formed the latch 7. The upper portion of latch 7 is bent to form the tongue 6, pressure on which will raise the latch 7 thereby permitting the end of the striker bar 3 to pass under same. The upward movement of latch '7 is limited by the pin 5 which prevents the latch from moving upward over the end of the support 4.

It will be observed that I prefer to form the latch member 7 in one piece, and that same being bent over and around the support 4, a substantial structure is formed which will not stick or become inoperative through rust or other causes which often occurs with latches working in slots or held between forked members.

In Fig. 2 I show the supporting bar 4 for the latch equipped with the point 9 adapted to be driven into the post or other support, but it is obvious that any mode of attaching the latch member can be used.

It will be seen that when my latch is used in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1 that it is operative by gravity, but if the member 4 should be placed in a vertical position it would not be so operative, therefore, I provide the spring arrangement shown in Fig. 3 thereby making the latch operative in any position. This arrangement consists in placing the spring 10 between the supporting member 4 and the latch 7. A hollow is formed in piece 4 in which one end of this spring rests, the other end of the spring being bent to encircle the sto pin 5. WVith this arrangement it will be noted that the latch member 7 is always kept in the normal or closed position, but by pressing upon the piece 6, the spring may be compressed and piece 7 moved so as to release the striker bar.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:

The herein described gate latch comprising a striker bar carried by the gate, a supporting bar attached to the gate frame, a latch member having two sides and inclosing the supporting bar, a rivet through the latter member and supporting bar, a pin connecting the two sides of the latch member, and a spring between the supporting bar and pin.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHRISTOPHER ATKINSON.

Witnesses:

I. Mo'rz, G. M. ASBILL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

